You could have been forgiven, had you wandered down any street in the vicinity of Anfield, on Saturday, for thinking that Arne Slot ’s side were about to kick off.
Such was the furore and excitement as fans, decked in red shirts, singing about famous European nights and looking forward to seeing their favorite stars in action, strolled towards Anfield on a sunny spring afternoon. Except, on this rare occasion, the names Gregory Vignal and Florent Sinama-Pongelle carried more weight than Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool Legends games always bring out a big crowd, but drawing 60,000 to see a match that was often played at glacial pace is a credit to the dedication of the club’s fan base. For the 2025 edition, it was a side of former Chelsea players who made the trip to Anfield to take on a Liverpool team containing the likes of Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt.
The fans were desperate to see Gerrard net against the side who famously tried to entice him into leaving Liverpool, but it was his former England team-mate, Peter Crouch, who lit up the game. He netted twice off the bench to hand Sir Dalglish’s side of ex-Liverpool stars the win and delight his five-year son watching in the stands.
The palpable atmosphere can partly be explained by the issues that surround Liverpool tickets now and how difficult it is for many fans to obtain them. It was even mentioned by LFC Foundation chief executive Matt Parish ahead of the game that, for several thousand in attendance, it will be their only trip to Anfield this season.
It shouldn’t be overlooked that many of those are from the local area and, in many ways, that’s what Saturday’s game was all about: Scousers. Liverpool prides itself on its connection with the fans – as does Everton, it shouldn’t be forgotten – which often harnesses a collective sense of unity among those who live on Merseyside, partly in times of hardship.
Gerrard, the boy from Huyton who grew up to become the world’s best midfielder, embodies that loyalty to his city. He turned down the riches available down south to stay loyal to his people, his club and his community. No wonder the fans bayed for him to find the back of the net, while a clip that surfaced on social media of Gerrard kissing the Liverpool badge in the direction of the away supporters delighted Liverpool fans.
The 44-year-old rolled back the years at Anfield, drilling crossfield passes, single-handedly trying to dictate the game from midfield, darting determinedly into the final third and chastising team-mates for not playing the right pass. That intensity has not diminished over the years.
Slot’s current Reds have no shortage of Liverpool heroes who could, in the not-too-distant future, play for the legends’ side, but so long as Gerrard is available to play in these charity games, he’ll always be the star attraction.
At full-time, the former captain led the team on a lap of honor around the ground, applauding the fans who had given up their Saturday afternoons to see a group of ex-professionals misplace passes and jog listlessly around the pitch.
It was, of course, all about the LFC Foundation, who do some incredible work in the local community and will distribute the funds from Saturday’s game towards health initiatives in the Liverpool city region, providing physical and mental wellbeing programmes for people of all ages.
Last year, the Foundation supported over 127,000 people, delivered 18,000 sessions and events across 300 community venues, including 199 schools. In a week when government policies again targeted the most vulnerable in society, the work carried out by charities such as the Foundation feel increasingly vital.
Some of the funds from Saturday’s game will also be donated to Forever Reds, Liverpool’s former players’ association. The charity works predominantly with players from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, who didn’t play in the lucrative era that most on show at Anfield benefited from.
It’s timely given the news from down the M62 in recent weeks and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to cut financing for a similar body at Manchester United. It’s a sign in many ways of the sport’s general direction towards a more elitist, globalized model that enhances the bank balances of the most affluent. Premier League owners are more detached than ever as policies are increasingly guided by a global-centric view above what benefits loyal supporters in the surrounding area.
Liverpool’s owners have not always made popular decisions or acted primarily in the interest of the club’s local fans, but the legends match is a rare and crucial community link that is only growing in stature. That so many ex-players also spoke of the bond and connection they feel towards Liverpool is testament to that sense of community.
“Having played for Liverpool, there is something special about this club,” said Crouch, still grinning from his brace, after the game. “Once you play for a club like Liverpool and you speak to all the players, it just touches you. It’s so special.”
Ragnar Klavan spoke of feeling the ‘warmth of the city and club’, while Yossi Benayoun commented on how ‘not all clubs keep in touch with ex-players’ unlike Liverpool, who he described as ‘amazing and special’.
That so many players came together for a worthy cause embodies what Liverpool should always stand for and what Scousers want their club to epitomize.
Saturday’s match ultimately was insignificant – few in attendance will be able to remember the score in five years’ time or the majority of players who were involved. But in half a decade, the money raised from the game will undoubtedly still benefit those in the city of Liverpool.
